Frequently Asked Questions

What is your cancellation policy for vacation rentals in California?

Guests who cancel at least 30 days before arrival are refunded in full, less a $25 fee. Cancellations 7–30 days in advance forfeit 25% of the deposit. For cancellations within 7 days, the entire stay is non-refundable.

This cancellation policy applies to all vacation rentals under Home Team Luxury Rentals throughout California. It strikes a balance between guest flexibility and protecting rental revenue in competitive areas like Big Bear , Los Angeles , and San Francisco —where early bookings are the norm.

Will my luxury rental property be well-maintained while managed by your team in South Lake Tahoe, CA?

Homeowners in South Lake Tahoe choose Home Team Luxury Rentals for vacation rental property management that blends expert operations with regulatory insight.

Our services include:

– Adherence to all local requirements and evolving short term rental regulations;
– Direct HOA and property association engagement to ensure local approval and alignment;
– Custom marketing and professional Airbnb/Vrbo listing optimization;
– Responsive guest communication 24/7;
– Detailed turnover service including inspection, cleaning, and inventory checks;
– Preventative maintenance scheduling and emergency repair coordination;
– Dedicated owner dashboard for financial tracking and property performance.

Whether you own a high-rise condo in Downtown LA, a Hollywood Hills mansion, or a Laurel Canyon bungalow, we maintain, monitor, and market your property as if it were our own—ensuring maximum return and complete peace of mind.

What is considered a luxury home?

A luxury home in the vacation rental market is defined by more than just high-end finishes—it’s about the total experience, from the property’s design to its surroundings. At Home Team Luxury Rentals, we consider a property “luxury” when it features upscale architecture, premium furnishings, curated interior design, and amenities like private pools, chef’s kitchens, spa-style bathrooms, home theaters, or smart technology.

But luxury is also about location and setting. We manage high-end condos in vibrant cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco, waterfront villas along the California coast, and luxury cabins in rural areas such as Big Bear and Truckee, offering panoramic mountain views. Whether it’s a modern hillside estate, a designer beach house, or a remote cabin with five-star comforts, the key is delivering an elevated, immersive experience that exceeds guest expectations in any terrain.

For homeowners with properties that have upscale potential, we offer turnkey solutions to help unlock that luxury tier. Through our in-house construction and design partners, we can upgrade your vacation rental with strategic enhancements—like adding hot tubs, game rooms, fire pits, high-end furniture, smart home features, or even full-scale remodels. We identify what luxury travelers expect in your market and help you invest in the right amenities to increase nightly rates, improve guest satisfaction, and maximize long-term ROI.

And whether you're expanding your portfolio or exploring a new market, our team can help you find and purchase turnkey vacation homes by sharing curated opportunities that align with your goals. While the final decision is always yours, we provide data-driven guidance on what’s performing well in each region, what amenities are in demand, and how a property could be improved to meet luxury standards. From analyzing market fit to recommending strategic upgrades, our expertise becomes your competitive advantage.

A property may be considered a luxury vacation rental if it offers enough of the following features—ideally at least four to five—while delivering a premium guest experience overall:

– High-end architecture or designer-level finishes throughout the home;
– Professional interior design with cohesive, upscale styling;
– Upscale amenities such as a private pool, spa, sauna, hot tub, or chef’s kitchen;
– Smart home technology (security, climate control, lighting, entertainment);
– High-quality outdoor living spaces, including views, fire pits, decks, or lounges;
– Exclusive features like game rooms, home theaters, wine cellars, or gyms;
– Hotel-grade linens, towels, toiletries, and stocked essentials;
– Privacy and location in a desirable setting (e.g., beachfront, mountain views, gated community);
– Concierge-level guest services or on-call support provided by the host or manager;
– Clean, modern curb appeal with well-maintained landscaping or hardscaping.

Are you unsure if your property qualifies as a luxury property? We’ll assess its market potential and provide expert recommendations to elevate it—strategically and profitably.

Why should I choose South Lake Tahoe for a short-term rental investment?

South Lake Tahoe stands out as a prime location for short-term rental investment thanks to its strong, year-round tourism economy and comparatively accessible property prices. As one of California’s most popular alpine destinations, it attracts millions of visitors annually seeking outdoor recreation, scenic beauty, and entertainment. Its appeal spans all seasons, with summer boating and hiking giving way to winter skiing and snowboarding at resorts like Heavenly Mountain.

Unlike some areas on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe, South Lake Tahoe offers relatively affordable real estate, making it an attractive entry point for investors looking to tap into a high-demand vacation market. The city’s bustling downtown area—home to casinos, shops, and restaurants—adds to the draw for tourists, while nearby access to beaches and ski lifts enhances rental desirability.

Platforms like Airbnb and VRBO are widely used here, and properties close to the lake, ski resorts, or Stateline casinos tend to command higher nightly rates. Investors can also benefit from the area’s popularity with a broad visitor base—families, couples, outdoor adventurers, and even business travelers—helping to maintain steady occupancy throughout the year.

That said, South Lake Tahoe's regulatory landscape demands attention. Measure T, a voter-approved initiative, has restricted vacation rentals in residential neighborhoods, limiting STRs to designated tourist-core areas unless grandfathered in. Transient occupancy tax (TOT) also applies, and compliance with city ordinances is essential.

• Year-round tourism driven by outdoor recreation and casino entertainment
• More affordable entry point compared to other parts of Lake Tahoe
• Diverse rental appeal to families, skiers, hikers, and nightlife seekers
• Strong occupancy rates supported by high demand on booking platforms
• Long-term real estate appreciation with high lifestyle value

With careful attention to zoning and local policies, South Lake Tahoe offers solid potential for investors seeking strong rental income, property appreciation, and the flexibility of owning in one of California’s most scenic mountain markets.

Can Home Team Luxury Rentals help me navigate California’s short-term rental regulations and ensure my property is fully compliant?

Absolutely. Compliance is one of the most critical—and complex—aspects of operating a short-term rental in California, and it's where many investors run into trouble. At Home Team Luxury Rentals, we take full ownership of that process so you can invest with confidence.

• City-by-City Regulatory Research: California’s short-term rental rules vary dramatically by location. We research the latest ordinances, permit requirements, zoning laws, and HOA restrictions specific to the city or county where you're considering buying or operating a rental.
• Permit & License Management: We handle all applications for local business licenses, short-term rental permits, and Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) certificates. You don’t have to guess what's required—we do it for you.
• Compliance Strategy During Property Search: If you're still looking for a property, we help you identify homes in STR-friendly areas where local laws allow for stable, legal operation. We combine that with projected revenue data so you're making informed decisions from day one. You can explore our full-service buying experience for investors here.
• Ongoing Oversight: After your rental goes live, we ensure continued compliance with quiet hours, guest limits, parking, safety regulations, and any new rule changes. We stay current so you stay protected.
• HOA and Community Coordination: If your home is in an HOA, we’ll work directly with the association to understand and follow their policies, avoiding fines and disruptions.

Whether you’re buying a turnkey vacation rental or converting an existing property into a short-term rental, we make sure everything is 100% by the book—no surprises, no shortcuts.

What services are included in your vacation rental management, and how do you help ensure strong performance on Airbnb?

Yes, we offer full-service vacation rental management in California, designed for investors who want peace of mind, regulatory protection, and maximum performance—especially on platforms like Airbnb. From the day you acquire your property to every guest check-out and financial report, we manage it all.

Here’s everything we include:

• Listing Management: We create, publish, and manage your listings across major platforms like Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com. This includes ongoing updates to calendars, descriptions, guest communications, and photos to keep your listing accurate and competitive.
• Listing Optimization: Our team uses tested strategies to improve visibility, conversion, and ranking on Airbnb. This includes keyword-optimized headlines, dynamic copy, professional photography, and SEO best practices designed for short-term rental platforms.
• Interior Design and Staging: We work with professional designers to curate a high-end, cohesive aesthetic that aligns with your property’s location and ideal guest demographic. Every detail—from furniture selection to layout—is tailored to enhance visual appeal and guest experience.
• Construction and Upgrades: Through our project management partners, we oversee everything from light renovations to full remodels, including installation of hot tubs, game rooms, or smart home systems to increase nightly rates and bookings.
• Dynamic Pricing: We implement dynamic pricing software backed by local market data and demand forecasting. Your nightly rates adjust automatically based on seasonality, holidays, events, and competitor activity—maximizing your revenue potential.
• Regulatory Compliance: We manage all permitting, licensing, and registration for local and county short-term rental laws, including Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) compliance, zoning verification, and safety requirements. We also liaise with HOAs where needed.
• Bookkeeping and Tax Support: We provide itemized income and expense tracking, TOT filing assistance, and clean year-end reporting to make tax season easier and ensure financial transparency.
• Owner Reporting: Access real-time dashboards and monthly financial summaries that include gross revenue, expenses, occupancy, ADR, and other key performance metrics.
• Cleaning and Turnover: Our team manages every turnover with hotel-grade cleaning protocols, restocking of supplies, linen service, and post-departure inspections to ensure consistent quality.
• Maintenance Coordination: We handle routine property upkeep, vendor scheduling, preventative maintenance, and urgent repair dispatch. Guests can report issues 24/7, and we’ll take care of them promptly.

From strategy to execution, we do everything needed to set up and run a compliant, high-performing short-term rental in California. Whether you already own a property or are looking to buy a turnkey Airbnb investment , we handle it all—allowing you to stay hands-off while your asset grows in value and revenue.